§ Mr. RENTOULasked the Secretary of State for War whether, in view of the statement that it is because of a decrease in the cost of living that it has been decided to reduce the pay and emoluments of Naval and Army officers by 5½ per cent. as from the 1st July next, he will say whether any special consideration is given to the cost of living affecting such officers as distinct from the figure which is supposed to represent the cost of maintenance of a working-class family, and especially whether such matters as rates, assessments, Income Tax and cost of education affecting these officers and their families are taken into consideration in arriving at such estimated cost of living?
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§ Major ATTLEEIn arriving at their conclusion on the fall in the cost of living the Army Council had regard to the Ministry of Labour index figure, which I may remind the hon. Member is used in dealing with the bonus of the Civil Service whatever the rate of their salary, and is also extensively used by municipal bodies, railway companies, banks, etc., for dealing with their salaried staffs.